THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS (2025)

Genre: CG Animation
Director:  Derek Drymon
Cast: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, George Lopez, Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, Regina Hall, Mark Hamill
Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: UIP
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 25 December 2025

Synopsis: SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail in their biggest, yellow-est, most side-splittingly hilarious, all-new, can’t miss cinematic event ever...The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following The Flying Dutchman – a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate – on a seafaring comedy-adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the deep sea, where no Sponge has gone before.

Movie Review:

Few animated television shows have enjoyed the cultural longevity of SpongeBob SquarePants. Since its debut in 1999, the series has transcended generations, becoming a rare cartoon that children adore for its bright colours and slapstick antics, while adults latch onto its absurdist humour, surreal timing, and surprisingly sharp satire. SpongeBob’s wide-eyed optimism, Patrick’s blissful stupidity, and Bikini Bottom’s parade of eccentrics have long made the show a comfort watch—one that parents and kids can enjoy together without compromise.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the fourth theatrical outing for the porous yellow optimist, doesn’t try to reinvent the formula. Instead, it delivers exactly what fans expect: 97 minutes of cheerful nonsense, low-stakes adventure, and relentless silliness that make it a perfectly timed holiday release. For parents, it’s an easy win—an excuse to escape the heat, keep the kids entertained, and share a communal laugh in a cinema without checking their watches.

The humour here is unapologetically juvenile, and often proudly so. Don’t come expecting razor-sharp wit or clever wordplay—this is the kind of movie where jokes like “under where?” (yes, underwear) land not because they’re smart, but because they’re so gloriously dumb. And yet, there’s something disarming about that simplicity. The laughs may not be sophisticated, but they arrive frequently enough, and their sheer silliness often sneaks up on you, coaxing out an unexpected chuckle.

At its core, the film leans heavily on the enduring friendship between SpongeBob and Patrick. Their unwavering loyalty to one another provides the movie with its emotional anchor, offering a sweet, sincere message about companionship, trust, and sticking together even when things get weird—which, in Bikini Bottom, they inevitably do. It’s gentle, earnest, and never overplayed, making it accessible to younger viewers while still resonating with adults who appreciate the show’s softer side.

Supporting characters get plenty of opportunities to shine. Mr Krabs has a surprisingly pleasant role of a mentor figure to play this time round, Squidward remains perpetually deadpan, and Gary the snail continues to prove that a well-timed “meow” can be funnier than a full line of dialogue. Their presence ensures that the film never strays too far from the ensemble charm that made the series a hit in the first place.

Visually, the movie keeps things lively by mixing animation styles and occasionally dipping into the real world. These shifts in texture and format inject fresh energy into the film, preventing visual fatigue and adding playful surprises along the way. The transitions aren’t always seamless, but they’re inventive enough to hold attention—especially for younger audiences who respond instinctively to visual novelty.

Ultimately, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is not aiming for greatness, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s a breezy, cheerful crowd-pleaser designed to entertain, not challenge. For fans of the series—and families looking for a lighthearted cinematic outing—it does its job with spongey enthusiasm.

Movie Rating:

(A cheerful, silly holiday treat that lets parents and kids laugh together, this easygoing big screen adventure proves that SpongeBob’s sunny charm still floats)

Review by John Li